TREE OF THE MONTH
By Len Phillips , ASLA Emeritus All photos provided by J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co.
Trade Name: Snowdrift Crabapple Botanical Name: Malus 'Snowdrift' Family: Rosaceae Parentage: Native Year of Introduction: 1975 introduction from Cole Nursery Height: 15 to 20 feet Spread: 15 to 20 feet Form: Rounded, dense Flower: Single, pink buds, white when open, abundant, over 1-inch diameter Fruit: Orange-red, 3/8-inch, persistent Foliage: Dark green, lustrous, heavy texture Spring Color: Covered with white flowers in early spring Summer Foliage: Rich light-green darkens with age Autumn Foliage: Yellow and orange contrast nicely with red fruits Winter Color: Persistent red fruits on dark twigs
26 Arbor Age / April 2012
Bark: Dark brown or gray Habitat: Does very well throughout the United States Culture: Well drained soil, acidic, partial shade is preferred Hardiness Zone*: 4 - 6 Growth Rate: Medium, full size in 25 years Pest Resistance: Excellent resistance to Cedar-Apple rust and Mildew, good resistance to Scab but not to Fireblight
Storm Resistance: Good Salt Resistance: Good Planting: Fibrous roots allow any transplanting technique, including bare root, in spring only Pruning: Prune at planting and three years later to mature form Propagating: Budding, grafting, softwood cuttings in summer
Design Uses: Excellent for residential, park, open spaces, and under utility wires
Companions: Does well with most perennials and other crabapples Site Requirements: Likes most sites, most soils, and full sun Other Comments: Rounded shape, dense leaves, vigorous grower, suitable for CU-Structural Soil planting Available from: Most nurseries, one of the most popular crabapples
* For information about the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, visit www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/index.html
These are the personal observations of the author, living in New England – Zone 5b. Leonard Phillips can be reached via email at lenphillips@on-line-seminars.com.
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